So the Princess let him sleep on. But as soon as all was still, and the miller’s lad heard that the Dragon snored, he crept out. Before it was light the Dragon rose; but he had scarce set both his feet on the floor before the lad cut off his head, and plucked three feathers out of his tail. Then came great joy, and both the lad and the Princess took as much gold, and silver, and money, and precious things as they could carry; and when they came down to the ford, they so puzzled the ferryman with all they had to tell, that he quite forgot to ask what the Dragon had said about him till they had got across.
“Halloa, you sir”, he said, as they were going off, “did you ask the Dragon what I begged you to ask?”
“Yes I did”, said the lad, “and he said, ‘When any one comes and wants to go over, you must throw him into the midst of the river, and say, “Now, carry folk over yourself till some one comes to set you free,”’ and then you’ll be free.”
“Ah, bad luck to you”, said the ferryman; “had you told me that before, you might have set me free yourself.”
So, when they got to the first palace, the Queen asked if he had spoken to the Dragon about her gold keys? “Yes”, said the lad, and whispered in the Queen’s ear, “he said you must look among the bushes where you lay the day you wot of.”
“Hush! hush! Don’t say a word”, said the Queen, and gave the lad a hundred dollars.
When they came to the second palace, the King asked if he had spoken to the Dragon of what he begged him?
“Yes”, said the lad, “I did; and see, here is your daughter.”
At that the King was so glad, he would gladly have given the Princess to the miller’s lad to wife, and half the kingdom beside; but as he was married already, he gave him two hundred dollars, and coaches and horses, and as much gold and silver as he could carry away.
When he came to the third King’s palace, out came the King and asked if he had asked the Dragon of what he begged him?